These weekly garden notes are written by Kim Willis,
unless another author is noted, and the opinions expressed in these notes are
her opinions and do not represent any other individual, group or organizations
opinions.
Hi Gardeners
 |
| Heritage glad "Bibi" |
We certainly have had the rain this summer. It started out this spring looking like it
might be dry but it changed quickly. It
could change again I suppose but for now things are getting watered pretty regularly. I had 2/10 of an inch overnight.
I have yet to see a monarch but I have been seeing a few
other butterflies. I saw a viceroy – a butterfly
that looks similar to a monarch and some beautiful ‘Silvery Blue” butterflies
that I had never seen before. I hope the Monarchs do make it back.
There was a Japanese beetle in my rain gauge this morning
and I saw some in the garden last night.
They are hatching a bit later this year so be on the lookout. Fireflies have been sparking around the yard
on the nights it isn’t raining.
I didn’t think birds liked tomato worms but I saw something interesting
last night. I have a wren house in the
corner of my vegetable garden and a wren was perched on it last night with a
big green tomato worm almost as big as her in her mouth. Her babies were chirping loudly inside the house
so I guess it was for them. I don’t know
how those tiny babies could eat such a large caterpillar but maybe the wren
divides it among them somehow.
I finally bought a trail camera to see what has been
visiting my barn at night and boy was I surprised at the wildlife that was
coming and going. There were several
raccoons, including a mom with 3 babies, at least one huge opossum and 2 skunks,
one that is almost all black except for the tip of his tail and a spot on his
nose. Now I have to decide what to do
about the critters.
Those trail cameras are inexpensive and very fun to
use. I am going to set mine by the bird
feeder during the day and catch some good bird shots (hopefully). They take a picture when they detect motion
and use infra-red lights to take shots at night that the animals can’t
see. There is a little red light that
glows when a picture is shot and they do sometimes notice that. I have shots where the animal is right up
against the camera looking into it.
The gladiolas and dahlias are in bloom. I am getting some great sweet corn although
the ears are small. We are also
harvesting tomatoes and cucumbers regularly.
I have pumpkins coming along nicely but the muskmelons and watermelons
have yet to set fruit- it may not be warm enough for them this year.
August almanac
The Great Lakes Native Americans called this moons full moon
(August 10th) Sturgeon moon, because that was when these large tasty
fish were easily caught in the Great Lakes.
In other places this month’s full moon is known as the Green Corn moon
or the blueberry moon. August‘s full moon is also a super moon, being 30%
brighter than normal moons and looking larger and closer. Unfortunately this bright moon will probably
make viewing the Perseid meteor shower (August 11-14) difficult.
If you are thinking of planting a fall vegetable garden
and plant by the moon phase, August 8-9th are good days to plant
above ground crops and August 20-22 are good days for root crops.
The August birth flower is the gladiolus. When glads are given to someone they signify remembrance
and integrity, perhaps that is why gladiolus are frequently found in funeral
arrangements. The August birthstone is
the peridot- a beautiful green gem.
August is National Peach month, National Picnic month,
Family Fun month and National Catfish month. Today is National Underwear day, with believe
it or not- events held around the country, mostly trying to break records of
the most people in their underwear. The 9th is National Book Lovers day
and the 10th is National Lazy Day.
The 13th is Left Handers day, the 14th is
Creamsicle day and the 26th is National Dog day. The 29th is More Herbs day. August
31st is International Bacon day.
Growing
gladiolas
Gladioli are another flower that modern gardeners seem
to forget. Fifty years ago most
gardeners grew glads because they were excellent cut flowers and provided color
in the summer garden. Every farmers
market had people selling large bouquets of colorful glads. Glads are still grown in mass quantities for
the floral trade and used in professional arrangements but the average gardener
has all but forgotten the gladiolus and that’s a shame.
Glads have the reputation of being a formal flower, and
as such don’t seem to fit into the relaxed, more naturalistic gardens of
today. But there are many varieties of
glads and one doesn’t have to be a wizard to weave some of them into today’s
gardens with charming results. With a
huge range of colors and flower styles, glads offer everyone some of the most
gorgeous flowers around for the summer garden.
Varieties of gladiolus
 |
| a humming bird favorite the glad"Atom" |
There are hundreds of varieties of glads. Choose those whose color interests you or
whose size or hardiness are right for you.
That said here are some glad varieties that might interest you. Black Beauty is a dark, red-black glad that
pairs well with Sophie a pure white glad.
Nori is close to true blue with a white center. Yellowstone is pure clear yellow. Princess Margaret Rose is yellow with rose
edges, Coral Lace is coral pink with
ruffled edges, Green Star is lime green, Jester is yellow with a red throat,
Vista is shades of lavender and white.
Heritage varieties of glads allow you to grow something
beautiful and keep a variety alive and thriving. Firedance is small flowered but is a lovely
peach with orange shading. Lucky Star is
a rare fragrant glad that is white with shadings of red and yellow in the
throat. Lilac and Chartreuse is those
colors delightfully combined. Atom is a
small flowered red glad with each petal outlined in silver. Boone is a cheerful small flowered yellow
flushed with red. The older smaller flowered
glads are easy to blend into perennial beds.
Hardy forms of glads are sometimes called nanus
gladiolus. They are generally white with
colored throats and are small flowered.
Charming Beauty is a soft pink nanus glad. Acidanthera are a close relative of gladiolus
with narrower leaves. The flowers are
similar to nanus glads, generally white or pastel pink with darker throats,
although other colors exist, and they are fragrant.
Corm concerns
Glads are usually sold as corms, which are a bulb like
structure covered with a papery brown husk.
The color of the glad flower sometimes appears as a faint tint on the
inner, firm area of the corm color but you can’t rely on corm color to tell you
the flower color. At best it can give you a hint of which glad is which if you
mix up your varieties.
Corms are sold in the spring for spring and summer
planting. The size varies a bit between
varieties, with the corms of miniature and small flowered glads being smaller
on average than other glads. Glad corms
are graded by size and generally top size corms are 1¼ inch or larger
across. Smaller corms will produce
flower spikes that are a bit smaller but can be economical. Cormels are baby corms that are often
attached to the mother corm when you dig them in the fall. These tiny corms can sometimes be purchased
very cheaply but they may not bloom the first year they are planted.
You can buy corms in packages in stores but these have
often been subjected to warm storage conditions that promote early sprouting,
rotting and mold. You can purchase a
wider range of glads that have generally been handled and stored in better
conditions from catalogs or on line.
When choosing packaged glads look for firm, plump, non-moldy corms with
no sprout or only a tiny sprout showing.
Avoid soft, shriveled, moldy corms and those which have long yellowish
sprouts.
If you are the economical person who intends to save
your glad bulbs each year you should know that the original corm will lose
vigor and may not bloom well after the third season. That’s fine because each year when you dig
your glad corms for storage you should find new cormels on the bottom of the
parent corm. These will have the exact
type of flower as the parent corm. Save
these and plant them and your glad varieties should last a long time.
Gladiolus have long narrow, sword like leaves.
The size of the plants can vary from about 12 inches high to about 3
foot with the flower spikes making them even higher. One flower spike is usually produced from
each corm. The flowers all face one
direction on the spike and begin opening from the bottom and progress upward.
Glad flowers are from an inch across to sometimes 3 or more inches across. They come in every color from white to the
darkest red-black and every mixture of color.
There are some glads with frilly, ruffled petal edges and some with
doubled petals. Depending on the variety
glads bloom from 65-100 days after the corm is planted with good growing
conditions.
Plant your corms in a sunny spot, glads prefer sandy or
sandy loam soils but will do all right in heavier soils that are well
drained. Plant corms about 3 inches
deep with the scar or flat side of the corn down. Glads should not be planted outside until all
danger of frost has passed. If you are
in a short season area or want early blooms you can start them inside in pots a
month before the last expected frost.
You may want to plant several batches of glads two weeks apart to
prolong the blooming period.
Most people who want glads for cutting plant them in
rows about 4-6 inches apart in the garden.
If you are blending them into a perennial border plant them in groups of
3-5 bulbs and make sure they won’t be covered by expanding foliage of other
plants as they grow. In windy areas you
may find the taller glads will need staking or the support of a fence.
Mix a good slow release fertilizer into the soil as you
plant the glad corms. Glads require good
consistent watering to flower well. If
it doesn’t rain they need an inch of water or more, depending on soil drainage
per week. Mulching plants after they are 2-3 inches tall is a good idea. If you don’t cut the flower spike for a
bouquet cut it off after it finishes blooming.
Allow the leaves to yellow and die naturally before digging the corms or
removing the foliage.
Most varieties of glads are not hardy above zone 7
although there are some varieties that are hardy to at least zone 6. That means that if you want to save the glad
corms you’ll need to dig them before the ground freezes and store them
inside. (But you don’t have to take this
step if it’s too much trouble, glad corms are inexpensive and you can buy more
the next year.) If you are in zones 7 or
higher simply mulch the ground over the corms with 5-6 inches of mulch before
winter. Most glads will survive the
winter and return to bloom again this way.
Treat the glads sold as semi-hardy for those in zone 5-6 the same way.
For those in zone 6 and lower dig the bulbs after the
leaves have yellowed or before a hard freeze.
Cut the tops off to about an inch above the corm. Let the soil dry and brush it off the
corms. Remove any old shriveled looking
corms and keep the plump new ones. Store
dry clean bulbs in net bags or paper bags, not plastic. The crisper of the refrigerator will do fine
for storage, otherwise keep them between 35-45 degrees F.
This
week’s weed
 |
| Stinking Mayweed |
Stinking Mayweed is a common Michigan weed of old
pastures, barnyards, roadsides and is
often found in nursery pots and green houses.
It is related to and looks a lot like the herb Chamomile, but crushing
the plant and smelling the unpleasant odor that gives it its common name will
distinguish it. Other common names are
dog fennel and stinkweed.
Stinking mayweed is an annual plant that grows rapidly
from seeds that over wintered and can cover large areas. The leaves are fernlike and look soft but
the stems are wiry and the plant has a tough taproot that makes it hard to
pull. It will remain close to the ground
in dry sunny areas but can become up to 2 feet tall in moist, rich areas.
Beginning in late June stinking mayweed covers itself
with small white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. Each flower is a 1/2 inch to an inch
across. It flowers continuously until
frost, producing an abundance of tiny brown seeds.
Most animals will not eat stinking mayweed and handling
the plant will give some people a rash.
Canning blueberries
In my
opinion its National Blueberry month, as well as peach month. So here are some more ways to preserve
blueberries. Peach recipes will come
next week.
Blueberries
are best canned in syrup or made into pie filling and canned. They can be
canned in water or apple juice but the results may not be as pleasing. They can
also be made into preserves or jam for canning.
It takes about 1-1/2 quarts of blueberries for 1 quart or 2 pint jars.
Can
blueberries in pints or quarts, whichever size suits most of your cooking
uses. Wash jars and lids. Sort and wash blueberries. Bring two pots of water to boil - a large one
for blanching berries and one to heat the packing liquid to boiling. Blanch small batches of blueberries at a time
by putting them into a colander and dipping them into boiling water for 30
seconds.
Packing
liquid choices: Water or unsweetened apple juice or syrup
To make syrup
- combine 1-3/4 cups sugar with one quart water, bring to a boil and stir to dissolve
sugar.
Bring
packing liquid to a boil, and then keep hot. Put 1/2 cup of packing liquid into
the bottom of each quart jar, 1/4 cup in each pint jar, fill jars with blanched
blueberries to a 1/2 inch from the top.
Pour in hot packing liquid to 1/2 inch from the top. Wipe the rims and put on lids and screw
bands. Process in a water bath canner
for 15 minutes for pints, 20 minutes for quarts. Cool jars and make sure they have sealed,
label and store.
Blueberry Jam
This will
make about 7 half pint jars. Sterilize
the jars and lids before filling and let them sit in hot water until just
before filling. Combine 9 cups of
crushed blueberries with 6 cups of sugar in a large pot. Do not add water! Cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves,
turn up heat slowly and bring to a full boil.
Cook and stir until the mixture is very thick.
Pour the
jam into hot jars to a 1/4 inch from the rim.
Wipe the rim, put on lids and tighten bands. Process jars for 5 minutes in a water bath
canner. Cool on a towel, make sure they
have sealed and label jars before storing.
Note: A water bath canner is simply a large kettle
with a rack in it for jars and a lid.
You fill it with water to 2 inches above the jars. Use warm water when
adding hot jars. Bring the water to a
boil and then start counting your minutes for processing.
Get your
Michigan blueberries today- you’ll be glad you did.
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More
Information
Daylily
flower power! Late season care for the jewel of the garden
Summer care
of daylilies will keep them strong this season and next.
Posted on
July 31, 2014 by Rebecca Finneran, Michigan State University
Experts
agree that perennial gardens are better when the gardener has a “lean” approach
on fertilizer. Many have witnessed the “feed ‘em and weep” syndrome by adding a
bit too much nitrogen in the early spring only to be rewarded with a floppy
mess in August.
On the
contrary, the humble daylily (a.k.a. color queen of the summer perennial
display) tends to be a hungry plant which will benefit by a mid-summer top
dressing of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. It is hard to calibrate how much
fertilizer to apply per plant but gardeners should alter the amount based on
the size of the clump. In most cases, spoon feeding with a common flower or
lawn fertilizer with no weed controls will provide the added boost for the
daylily to gear up for its second flush of foliage and build the root system
for next year. Soluble forms of fertilizer will also provide the plant what it
needs, however it is also more labor intensive. Compost provides nitrogen but
the reaction time will be much slower. Water the fertilizer in as it describes
on the label.
Curb Appeal
In early
August, when the bulk of blooming has finished, daylilies are also plagued with
leaf senescence and drop. Leaves produced in the early spring are retired by
the plant and after a brief resting phase, the plant will push up new foliage
that will carry it into the fall. During a hot, dry summer, this can really
detract from the appearance of the daylily clump and is best removed by gently tugging
it out. Some growers even clip the original foliage back by half to tidy up the
plants and remove fading leaf tips. Once your plant sends up its secondary
foliage, the trimmed portion will be covered up. Michigan State University
Extension recommends removing the faded foliage to allow for easier weeding at
the base of the plant.
With the
right amount of tidying up and T.L.C., your garden will be stunning throughout
the rest of the growing season.
|
This
article was published by Michigan State University Extension.
Events, classes and
other offerings
Please let me know if there is any event or class that
you would like to share with other gardeners.
These events are primarily in Michigan but if you are a reader from
outside of Michigan and want to post an event I’ll be glad to do it.
Master Gardeners if you belong to an association that
approves your hours please check with that association before assuming a class
or work day will count as credit.
Do you have plants or seeds you would like to swap or
share? Post them here by emailing me at
New- Dr. Schutzki’s
One-Day Plant Academy, August 7, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI
Taught by Dr. Robert
Schutzki, MSU Take advantage of this "1 and done" hands-on workshop,
where your employees will learn everything they need to know about plants this
summer.
We'll cover: Plant
Identification Environmental Needs Proper Pruning Techniques General
Maintenance Requirements of Specific Plants Biotic and Abiotic Problem
Diagnostics This course will provide an essential knowledge base for newcomers
to the industry as well as a useful refresher for industry veterans.
( open to everyone)
MNLA Member: $55 Non-Member:
$85
To register:
https://lansingit.wufoo.com/forms/dr-schutzkis-1day-plant-academy/
Contact: Kristin Faasse,
517-381-0437, kfaasse@mnla.org
New- Advance Garden
4-5-6 September 13, 2014 - September 27, 2014 9:00am-1:00pm Oakland County
Executive Office Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, 41W, Waterford, MI
This workshop is
$125. The fee includes light morning refreshments each day and instructional
handouts. There will be a wide variety of design exercises and a recommended
garden design book list and web site used in formal and informal gardens.
During this workshop, participants will develop skills in the layout of garden
beds and small landscape areas using the principles of floral harmony, balance
and color. The workshop takes the participants through a successive series of
training stages, from simple to advanced garden design planning techniques.
This is a comprehensive training class for advanced level gardeners who are
interested in learning to expand their garden design skills. It is recommended
that you have taken Garden Design 1-2-3 or have other garden design class
experience and understand of design concepts of plant layering, spatial balance
and axial symmetry. Master Gardeners will receive credit for twelve education
hours for attending this 3 day workshop. Contact Linda Smith at 248-858-0887
New- Canning Pickles Wed,
August 13, 6-9pm. Heavenly Scent Herb Farm, 13730 White Lake Rd, Fenton, MI, United
States
Learn to make dill,
bread-n-butter & brine pickles. Then learn to pickle garden veggies. Cost $58.75.
810-629-9208.
New- Ponds & Water
Gardens Sat, August 16, 10am, Rocks 'N' Roots, 62520 Van Dyke Rd, Washington, MI
48094
Free class on Ponds
for the garden. Rain or shine. Call 586-752-4900.
New- Art In The Garden Sat, August 23, 10am-5pm - The
Display Gardens on Suncrest 1455 Suncrest Dr., Lapeer, MI.
Watch and talk to
artists in the garden. Master Gardeners
will be on hand to talk about gardening techniques. The gardens are behind the Lapeer County
Medical Care facility. FREE.
248-693-1195, www.lc-mga.org.
New - Herbal Summer Faire, August 23,& 24 Sat, 10am-5pm & Sun, 11am-5pm Heavenly
Scent Herb Farm, 3730 White Lake Rd, Fenton, MI
148 Different Artisans~
Culinary delights, weaving-fiber art, honey, woodcraft, embellished clothing,
pillows, painted slate and windows, hand-made bath products, perfume oil &
incense, candles, blown glass, garden art, wildlife drawings, pressed flowers,
quilts, silhouettes, wire art, beaded jewelry, natural cosmetics, greeting
cards, paper crafted items, beaded amulet bags, architectural people and
sterling silver necklace ladies, stain glass, Santa boxes, hand-painted items,
vintage chenille garments, fused jewelry, recycled art, mixed media art,
Hypertufa gardenware and hand-molded, pottery
Admission $2. Master
Gardeners on hand, free children’s activities, delectable lunches & more. www.heavenlyscentherbfarm.com.
New- Tomato Festival -Sat, August 23, Ray Hunter Florist,
16153 Eureka Road, Southgate, MI
Downriver Tomato
Festival: Join us at our Southgate location for our first annual Tomato
Festival! Festivities will include tomato tastings and recipes, vegetable
gardening tips, demonstrations and samples, prizes for the “Largest Tomato” and
“Best Tasting Tomato,” plus a Kids’ Coloring Contest! Please register for the
contests by 11:30 a.m. Judging begins at Noon. FREE. 734-284-2500.
New - UP Smart Gardening
Conference, Oct. 4 Learn to create edible landscapes, Ramada Inn, 412 W.
Washington St., Marquette, MI
Gardening
enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about this type of gardening
should consider attending this year’s UP Smart Gardening Conference – Edible Landscaping
with Smart Gardening on Oct. 4. This is a one-day conference full of great
speakers, a garden marketplace, door prizes and lunch. The early bird
registration fee is good until Aug. 30. Plan now to attend and avoid a fee
increase. Register online for the early bird reduced fee. http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=UPSmartGardeningConference
Cost: Early
registration fee of $60.00 per participant by August 29th Late
registration fee of $70.00 from Aug. 30th to Oct. 2nd . Walk in
registration fee of $80.00 (Includes lunch, refreshments, door prizes,
handouts)
New - Kent/MSU Extension
Grand Ideas Garden 10th anniversary celebration Saturday, October 4at 5:00pm 775
Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
WOW!! Ten Years
Old!! Join the merriment and celebration of the tenth anniversary of the MSU
Extension Grand Ideas Garden at our annual fund raising auction! Open to everyone-bring your friends. Auction
items include new plants, garden tools and gadgets, beautiful local art,
pottery, services and so much more.
This event is sure
to please with great food, live music and “competitively fun” bidding. Get
involved in the bidding excitement as we raise money to support the ongoing
mission of the Grand Ideas Garden—one of Kent County’s hidden treasures!
Weeds and Herbs from the Wild -Tuesday, August 19 at 7: 00pm at Seven Ponds Nature Center 3854
Crawford Road, Dryden, MI
The Friends of Herbs at Seven Ponds will host speaker: Jim
McDonald- innovative Michigan herbalist and wildcrafter. He will share
with us what herbs and weeds can be harvested during this time of year. Preregistration
is required by calling 810-796-3200 to
reserve your seat. Join us for a wonderful informative program, cost is $5.00
per person.
Herb & Butterfly
Garden Tours -Sunday, August 10, 2:00 pm
-Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road, Dryden, MI
We have the loveliest cultivated gardens totally maintained by
volunteer gardeners. This is a walk suited for those who cannot venture too far
from the center. Non-members- $3.00 adults, members and children 12 and under free. (Tour is being conducted by park
naturalists.)
Cool Plants for
Shady Areas- Sat, August 9, 10am English Gardens,
all locations (Ann Arbor, East Pointe, Clinton Twps., Dearborn Heights, Royal
Oak, Commerce Twps., West Bloomfield
call 1-800-335-Grow
Creating a beautiful garden is
possible even in the shade. This program
will cover basic information on planning, planting and maintaining flowers and
plants in the shade. Special emphasis will be given on perennials. FREE.
www.EnglishGardens.com.
The Lapeer area Horticulture Society
is looking for new members. There are no
education or experience requirements to join; only a love of gardening is
needed. The Horticulture Society meets
the third Monday of each month for socializing, networking and a brief
educational presentation. August meeting
is at Mayfield Township Hall. Everyone
is invited to join. Dues are only $15 a
year. For more information on joining or
meeting locations contact Bev Kobylas at bkobylas@yahoo.com
Newsletter
information
If you would
like to pass along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer
opportunity please send me an email before Tuesday of each week and I will
print it. Also if you have a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send it to
me. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly notes.
You must give your full name and what you say must be polite and not attack any
individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t match mine but I do
reserve the right to publish what I want.
Once again the
opinions in this newsletter are mine and I do not represent any organization or
business. I do not make any income from this newsletter. I write this because I
love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across in my
research each week. It keeps me engaged with local people and horticulture.
It’s a hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you don’t wish to
receive these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who would like to
receive these emails have them send their email address to me. KimWillis151@gmail.com
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